WASHINGTON -- Acting Assistant Secretary of Labor for Occupational Safety and Health Jonathan L. Snare today signed a two-year renewal of the Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute (SWRI) Alliance that will continue to focus on safety and health protection efforts for workers in that industry.

Through the OSHA and SWRI Alliance renewal, the organizations will continue to help advance a culture of injury and illness prevention, while sharing best practices on improving workplace safety and health. Originally signed on Feb. 20, 2003, the Alliance's aim is to provide information and guidance on reducing and preventing exposure to lead and silica, as well as emphasize safety concerns in the areas of confined spaces, fall protection and staging requirements.

"This Alliance demonstrates the excellent working relationship between OSHA and SWRI and our common goal of enhancing the safety and health of workers who apply and otherwise work with sealant, waterproofing and restoration products," Snare said. "This joint effort seeks to equip these workers with the skills and resources to identify and prevent workplace hazards before injuries or illnesses occur."

Added SWRI Executive Vice President Ken Bowman: "The Sealant, Waterproofing and Restoration Institute is excited about renewing our Alliance with OSHA. The communication and access to the compliance assistance tools from OSHA representatives and the OSHA Web site has made it possible for SWRI to disseminate valuable safety and health information to our members. The Institute looks forward to continue working with OSHA in addressing key health and safety issues that affect our industry."

As a direct result of the Alliance, OSHA and SWRI developed a safety manual designed to provide basic information on a wide range of important topics within the sealant, waterproofing and restoration industry such as hazard communication, confined space and fall protection.

In addition, OSHA and SWRI will continue to work together to increase access for employees to safety and health information and outreach programs. Both organizations will also continue to develop and disseminate injury and hazard information at conferences and events, and through print and electronic media.

SWRI is a nonprofit corporation of 200 commercial contractors, manufacturers and consultants engaged in the application, design and manufacture of sealant, waterproofing and restoration products.

Employers are responsible for providing a safe and healthful workplace for their employees. OSHA's role is to assure the safety and health of America's workers by setting and enforcing standards; providing training, outreach, and education; establishing partnerships; and encouraging continual process improvement in workplace safety and health. For more information, visit www.osha.gov.

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NOTICE: This is an OSHA Archive Document, and may no longer represent OSHA Policy. It is presented here as historical content, for research and review purposes only.

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